Tuesday, September 21, 2010

I am a collector. When I walk in the country, at the beach, or even in a city park, I scour the ground for treasures. The little treasures Mother Nature offers up to us, if only we look. A speckled shell from a bird’s nest, a butterfly sadly preserved in her colorful glory, a feather tipped with blue. I have a wooden tray that sits out year round where I collect these natural treasures. The items change with the seasons, but always there is something on the tray, a gift of natural beauty.

When sun-filled summer days fade, the nights become cooler, I know it’s time to pack away the summer keepsakes and fill the tray with autumn riches. Smooth shiny acorns of chestnut brown, weighty hickory nuts, ready to burst open and expose the treat inside, a perfect leaf, turned to a blazing yellow. No matter the season, treasures abound if you just slow down and see them.

In the photo, end of summer, I found exactly the kind of treasure I would love to bring home for my tray. What about you? Do you collect natural treasures?

We collect a lot we find here on our walks too. The little ones bring lots of rocks and shells, feathers and chestnuts, and sometimes we find things like the prickles (?) of a porcupine of beautiful feathers. We have a shelf in our bookcase where we display all these treasures, although I do have to clean it up now and then to make room for new things. Those little ones see treasures everywhere! :-)

I like the contrast between the two shots. Both are lovely. Your idea of collecting nature's treasures on a tray is nice, but, thanks to my kids, I collect nature's treasures and keep them in nearly every room of my house.

weeee!i'm so excited! my husband and i were taking a walk by the lake at sunset when i took this shot. SOOC. i didn't think it needed any processing. i love it just how it is.the collecting of natural treasures all year round is cool! i have a small piece of tree wood that i picked up the lake maybe 3 years ago and i still have it in my car.

oh my gosh! I love your images this week. love! but even more so I love your words. I can't wait - some day you and I will sit on your enclosed porch and share a (or 2) bottles of wine talking the night away looking through all your treasures. then I will pack up the night in my mind and save it forever. xox

oh p.s. I want an acorn. oh and one of those poky things from b&w theme.

I love nature treasures! You can find various things that I have brought home tucked away in printer's trays and other boxes from nature walks all around the USA. I have petrified wood from Wyoming, big pine cones from Alabama, arrowheads from Ohio, and shells from Lake Erie. Those little tactile reminders can bring back some happy memories!

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The Mortal Muses are nine female photographers from around the world. Each morning, one of the Muses posts a musing based on the previous photo submission theme and selects a companion photo from the mortal muses flickr pool to feature. We then move to the next theme.